The immense budget bill winding through Congress is a concern. What does it mean for us?

It hacks government services we rely on for a dignified life. For instance, rural, elder and pediatric medicine are very dependent on Medicaid funding. This bill will drastically reduce this funding, hurting our community. Check with your doctor, nursing home and pediatric clinics.

It further chainsaws federal consumer protections, government oversight of corporate abuses of workers, environment and retirees.

Who does it benefit? Corporate/capital gains taxes are cut. Carried tax credit for hedge fund managers is preserved. Elimination of tax on tips allows hedge fund executives to dodge tax on millions.

What does this mean for deficits and national debt? Well, Republicans are trying to raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion so I’m guessing it won’t reduce deficits.

In every way possible, this is a scam, taking from regular Americans to massively enrich the economic elites. They are treating us like suckers. We need to tell them we won’t have it.

Mike Shivers MD

Altoona